Government announces $6.3 million for Yukon Research Centre

WHITEHORSE—The Government of Yukon will provide $6.3 million to support the continuation and extension of the Yukon Research Centre’s activities. The announcement was made at the centre’s fifth anniversary celebration this afternoon. Yukon College will receive funding over five years for the centre, which hosts a number of programs and services to develop collaborative research, innovation and outreach that meet the needs of northerners.

“Supporting the knowledge and technology sector results in increasing the diversity in Yukon’s economy, which benefits everyone,” Premier Darrell Pasloski said.

Established at Yukon College in 2009, the Yukon Research Centre enables scientists and academics to train, study and make discoveries in Yukon.

“The funding will allow the Yukon Research Centre to strengthen commercial relationships with local businesses, increase the flow of information and development of skills in the knowledge economy, and increase excellence in northern science and technology here at home,” Minister of Education Minister Elaine Taylor said.

This new funding will support the continuation and extension of research and innovation programs focused on climate change, cold climate innovation, environmental science, society and culture, and technology innovation.

“Yukon Research Centre is expanding research and innovation opportunities throughout the North and we will continue to do so with certainty thanks to this five-year commitment from Yukon government,” Yukon College president Dr. Karen Barnes said. “Our staff and researchers will continue to solve northern problems with northern expertise, involving students every step of the way.”

This core funding is essential for the Yukon Research Centre to attract third-party project revenues, which contribute to the development of Yukon industry. The Yukon Research Centre has built relationships in the territory and across Canada with government, business, First Nations, communities and entrepreneurs.

With this new investment, the Yukon government has provided $10.78 million to the Yukon Research Centre.

Additionally, the Yukon government recently announced a capital investment of $425,000, which includes funding for renovations to the Yukon Research Centre to help meet the dynamic requirements of courses, training and research activities.